Leading off this eclectic delight is PAPASMURF(1A White-bearded red-capped patriarch) and closing it out is EASYTOSEE(62A Plain), and in between is a wealth of verbiage of vibrating variety, odd repetitions and an answer answered by a clue, ASTRING(14D Quartet in a string quartet).

Take your pick: BYGEORGE(35D Cry when you think you've got it?) punctuated by BRAVOS(43D They may keep the show going), an SOS(56D Emergency letters) in a CYCLONE(38A Eye site) of SPATES(37A Floods) of ACIDRAIN(34D Environmental awareness topic) to kill an OCOTILLO(36D Cactuslike tree of the Southwest), a sighting from APOLLOVII(57A Wally Schirra commanded it in 1968) from the USOFA(10A G.I.'s sod) of ELVISPRESLEY(21D Subject of some sightings) and a UFO(10D Subject of some sightings) with a PIRATE(1D Marine menace)ABOARD (34A Alongside, nautically),TIREIRONS(60A Car-jacking aids) in the FIRELANE (13D Corridor to be kept clear), causing one to VEEROFF (24D Change course),IGOOFED(41A Slip acknowledgment) and OVERRAN(30A Flooded) an ICESKATER(15A One with spin control?) far from a cold IGLOO(59A All-natural abode) hanging above hot NEONS(61A Garish glowers) and a FRATBOY(9D One who's made a pledge) with MARCHMADNESS(6D The Elite Eight are associated with it) and a HALO(32D Good sign?) -- END (28A Doom)...

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It's just a crossword puzzle with four answers entered backwards with the word "back" missing -- that hardly makes it a "theme" -- let's get over this "theme" and "rebus" fixation -- a "theme" puzzle would include all entries in the puzzle and a "rebus" puzzle would do the same! The good Lord did not say we must have a name for everything, but if we must have a name, name it correctly -- again, "a crossword puzzle with four backward entries" -- that's it!

Check the grids above, can you find a "theme"? That out of the way, the four entries (with a fifth "clue" entry) are:

The only other backward/forward entries are ERIE(51D I-90 runs along it) and EIRE(61A U2's home) which cross each other in the bottom center of the grid, ELBA(40D Napoleon's home before his Hundred Days campaign) (e.g., ABLE WAS I ERE I SAW ELBA), and EWE(20A Milk source) -- all of which are oft-seen fill that just happen to be palindromes.

There is no "theme", just four answers entered backwards with a missing word supplied in another area of the puzzle!

Further commentary to follow...(Uh...read "Comments" for this day's post instead.)

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TIMOTHYLEARY(53A Speaker of the catchphrase that starts 20-, 27- and 47-Across), combined with TURNONANAXIS(20A Revolve),TUNEINTOMORROW(27A “Don’t miss the next episode…”), and DROPOUTOFSIGHT(47A Become a recluse, perhaps), combine for a neat anchor for this Wednesday special, which along with the center cross, a hep-cat-like saying HEYBABY(37A Start of many a pickup line) and ORBIT(28D Go around and around) combine to command -- “Hey baby, orbit -- turn on, tune in, drop out!“

This puzzle is a WRY (1D Like some humor)ABOMB(22D Weapon in 1940s headlines) of a puzzle which sounded a SIREN(64A Signal to clear the road),DREW (18A Sketched) me in, and won my HEART(67A Courage) with such entries as OSKAR(9A Schindler of Schindler’s List) with MIRA(55A Actress Sorvino) (I have my own reasons) and LILYPAD(46D Frog’s perch) even though they aren‘t OLIVE (58 A Shade of green); further, I didn’t even mind such entries as TOILETS(52A Rest stop features), the usually boring KNOX(11D The “K” in James K. Polk), nor the repugnant YASIR(40D Arafat of the P.L.O.).

They're all there and more -- this puzzle is a trip in itself!

Steven Spielberg's "Schindler's List"

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It’s late, I should be ABED(34A Sleeping, say), getting some REM(33A Kind of sleep), so I’ll do the ENDRUN(5D Evasive maneuver) as I’ve WRITTEN (4D On paper) enough on ITNOW(23A Edward R. Murow’s See____”) -- so let’s just give it ANOD(68A Give ____ to [approve]),a ROAR (14A Sound from a 57-Down) of the LION (57D Big prowler) of approval, and a MEA(29D ____culpa) for my naked enthusiasm! Enjoy the puzzle, man! -- heed the label on the lysergic acid diethylamide like “Alice in Wonderland -- EAT(3D Chow down)!

Treat yourself to Linda G's Madness…Crossword and Otherwise. Linda was a bit leery and particularly prescient in questioning the presence of an eerieLEARYentry in yesterday’s puzzle -- hey, he was just lurking at the door, right smack dab in the middle of yesterday’s puzzle awaiting today's -- in a starring role!

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Above: (1) Guernica by Pablo Picasso -- In 1992 the painting was moved from the Museo del Pado to the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, both in Madrid,, along with about two dozen preparatory works. This action was controversial in Spain, since Picasso's will stated that the painting should be displayed at the Prado.

(2) On 4th of February, 1945 the Big Three (Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin) convened at Yalta, on the Crimean Peninsula.

BAR (38A It can precede the starts of 16-, 26-, 43- and 58-Across and 10- and 33-Down) was the last entry I filled on this puzzle which ties in with CHARTTOPPER(16A #1 hit),BELLBOTTOMS(26A Some 1960s-'70s attire),KEEPANEYEON(43A Watch),NONETHELESS(58A However),HOPSCOTCH(10D Playground game), and CODENAMES(33D Manhattan Project and Operation Overlord). Having no idea what was wanted, I just worked the remainder of the puzzle and then came back to the center to see what the hell 38A was all about -- all I had was AR -- and for 38D Competition of sorts, I had only EE -- so I ran through the alphabet starting with CAR, EAR, FAR, WAR, etc. -- concentrating on the clue for 38D, and trying to match it up with the indicated tie-in references to 38A -- so the last letter I filled in was B. No fun at all -- but, that happens!

Nevertheless, I liked the references to YALTA(13A W.W. II conference site);BERET(63A Prince's "Raspberry _____"), that was another B I pondered somewhat; ZOOMS(62A Skyrockets);ALERO(49D Bygone Olds);MISHIT(42A Faulty shot, as in tennis);ITSOK(21A Comforting words); and PRADO(52A Madrid museum), the last, of course, brings immediately to mind Pablo Picasso's "Guernica" which I sat staring at for no end in an empty room at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City many years before the crowds, the controversy and its subsequent return to Spain.

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A popular variant of “Twenty Questions” is called "Animal, Vegetable, Mineral, Other". In this version, the answerer tells the questioners at the start of the game whether the subject is an animal, vegetable, mineral, or other. The game defines an animal as a member of the animal kingdom, a vegetable as a member of the plant kingdom, a mineral as anything geological, and other as anything else.

TWENTYQUESTIONS(55A Game suggested by the first words of 17-, 25- and 42-Across)

ANIMALMAGNETISM (17A Sex appeal)

VEGETABLEGARDEN(25A Where to grow carrots and spinach)

MINERALDEPOSITS(42A Places to find some gems)

This wonderful little Monday crossword puzzle asks many other questions (note that the name of the game [suggested by the first words of 17-, 25- and 42-Across] referred to in the clue of 55A is missing OTHER -- it, however, can be found in the one clue with a question mark, 48D Way off base?, which is AWOL.

CITIZEN KANE's tale begins when wealthy media magnate Charles Foster Kane (Orson Welles) dies, and he utters the enigmatic word "Rosebud". The producer of an obituary newsreel asks a reporter to find out about Kane's private life and personality, in particular to discover the meaning behind his last word -- “Ask the question anyway, Thompson! Build the picture around the question, even if you can't answer it.”

The reporter questions in interviews the great man's friends and associates, and Kane's story unfolds as a series of flashbacks; however, he is unable to solve the mystery, and he concludes that "Rosebud" will remain an enigma. At the end of the film, the camera pans over workers burning some of Kane's many possessions. One throws an old sled, with the word "Rosebud" painted on it, into the fire, the same sled that Kane was riding as a child the day his mother sent him away. There is a shot of a chimney with black smoke coming out. The film ends as it began, with the "No Trespassing" sign. The closing shot shows the "K" on top of the iron fence.

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"Three Musicians" by Pablo Picasso The central figure is a Harlequin playing a guitar, with two musicians by his sides. There is also a dog that can be seen to the left of the musicians with his ears clearly visible.

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Sunday, May 27, 2007

ACROSTIC

By Emily Cox & Henry Rathvon

The indicated links provide information on the entries I found of interest. The quote itself is so true -- but no one has ever said the likes to me as I’d die rather than let anyone know I was nervous. Speaking of death, it is tragic that Eloise Ristadmet her end early in a canoe.

IT IS IN PERFORMANCE THAT WE COURT THE VERY EXPERIENCE THAT TERRIFIES US. A WELL-MEANING FRIEND SAYS THERE’S NOTHING TO GET NERVOUS ABOUT AND IT ALMOST HELPS BECAUSE THE DESIRE TO STRANGLE DISTRACTS US FOR THE MOMENT.

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ABIESIRISHROAST(85A Play about a guy ordering beer from Dublin?), roast = rose.

CHITLINSOFALESSERGOD(91A Play about swine intestines that are semi divine?), chitlins = children.

AHAMFORALLSEASONS(106A Play about meat that’s good to eat anytime?), ham = man.

Barefoot in the Parkstarred Robert Redford and Jane Fonda in the Broadway production and in the film. This play is perhaps one of the true mainstays of dinner theater and summer stock.

The Merchant of Venice is not generally considered, nor can I recall or find reference to its being a musical drama, although an opera exists from the Shakespeare play. Even though the play makes infamous reference to a pound of flesh, not in the Poconos or anywhere else in dinner theater will you see this old chestnut!

The Beggar’s Opera was the basis for The Three Penny Opera, both of which occupy a place somewhere between opera and operetta. You'll probably not see this one in a dinner theater either!

West Side Story does make it into the dinner theater and summer stock circuit a lot, but the Leonard Bernstein work is performed at opera houses throughout the world. It could be done as a revue for dinner theater with the plot cut out and a ship-cruise type medley of singers.

Porgy and Bess is rarely seen in a dinner theater setting or summer stock for that matter, and is mainly a work performed by opera companies, even though Ira Gershwin intended it for theater, its premiere having taken place on Broadway. It would take a twelve-course meal to get through this one!

Abie’s Irish Rose is a war-horse of summer stock and is frequently done tongue-in-cheek at dinner theaters. This entry is also a war-horse of crossword puzzles, clued backwards and forwards, upside down and from every possible angle. Patrick Berry pays tribute to this old reliable by the entry NICHOLS(20A Anne who wrote "Abie's Irish Rose") -- so it's due is done!

Children of a Lesser God was performed originally at a Broadway theater, is not often seen in summer stock and rarely in dinner theater -- the film had a modest success and Marlee Matlin got an Oscar for her performance as, well, pretty much herself.

A Man for All Seasons is a brilliant drama and as the pun indicates, an opportunity for a “ham” performance, but Paul Scofield in both the play and in the film gave an excellent and subtle performance. This entry is the best of the lot, as a ham can be both an actor and a dinner. However, one is unlikely to see the play in a dinner theater setting.

Other food-related entries in this construction are FALLOWDEER(17D Popular quarry for British hunters),FISHERY (80A Business with net gains),HIHO(12A Old cracker brand),ADE(57D Drink suffix)FASTS(80A Diets drastically),MAWS(39A Gullets),NUTMEG(72A Mulling spice), and RAGU (113A Brand name with an accent on its last letter). One could include TRACHEA(5A Breathing tube) (think Heimlich Maneuver), ELK(26A Beast with a bugling call) (Eskimo food), AORTA(94D Main line) (think clogged from you know what...), SOT (112A Elbow-bender) (lots of those at dinner theaters!), PLAX(19A Pfizer product used before brushing the teeth), and FLOSS(93D Line at the dentist's office?) which one should do when all is said and done!

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The Niagara Waterworks -- Fallsview Indoor Water Park in Niagara Falls, Canada
The Niagara Waterworks is a large interactive water play center with all kinds of sprayers and doodads to soak others and get soaked.

This is a playful puzzle with DOODADS(1AFandangles) andTOEHOLD(8A It can aid one’s climb to the top) in the lead, followed by TICTACTOE(33D Game ih which crosses are used) -- nice words and fairly harmless activities, but then we get a bit sadistic with the esses!

Esses? This Saturday crossword is a stern lisper's heaven with words of action beginning with "s" all crowded into the center left of the grid:

SEESTOIT(7D Makes sure something’s done)

SKI(20A Come down briskly?) (Remember all those lewd remarks by otherwise proper Commenters.)

For the pedagogues the pickings are sparse with only ADENINE(17A DNA component),READER(43D Schoolbook),HEXAD(48A Series of six), and perhaps MISSIVE(38A Letter) and maybe WRIT(31A ____ of assistance [search warrant]) to see if the dog really ate the homework.

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Viewers of the old TV program, Dragnet, remember Sgt. Joe Friday repeatedly telling the witnesses he'd question about a crime, "Just the facts, Ma'am." He had no time to get mixed up in the emotional aspects, he just wanted names, numbers, and details.

This Friday’s crossword puzzle has no time to get mixed up either -- names, numbers, and details:

Hannibal Lecter: "Tell me, Will. Did you enjoy it? Your first murder? Of course you did. And why shouldn't it feel good? It does to God. Why only last week in Texas, he dropped a church roof on the heads of 34 of his worshippers, just as they were groveling for him. He wouldn't begrudge you for one Journalist."

Oll Korrect, OK! I confess, I confess -- a Lulu is a CORKER, KNELLSsounds ominously, MARKUP is an edit, the “Shoe” waitress was ROZ, well, not fully, just INASENSE, when she CALLS, secretaries often hold them, I put mine on a pedestal to IDEALIZE, I’m trying to keep it simple or MERE, SUEME, yeah, a snide challenge, you have a way of turningTOONESIDE, you can’t UNZIP, open, in a way my yap, I’ll POUT, look down, if you’re looking for AXEMEN or guitarists, slangily, I’m just one not mingling much, a LONER!

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